Afghanistan: Development Officer

Terms of Reference

Development Officer (several positions)

Kabul, Afghanistan (with travels to Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

Organization profile

Assess, Transform & Reach Consulting (ATR) is a research and capacity development firm registered in Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates which provides context-driven solutions to the Afghan Government, Embassies, the United Nations and other Institutional Donors, contractors, NGOs and the private sector.

Founded in 2012, ATR consists of a team of 40 Afghan and international development professionals with extensive experience in Afghanistan and other conflict and post-conflict countries. The firm has recognized expertise in the field of Local Development, Governance, Rule of Law, Stabilization and Countering Violent Extremism, providing the following services:

§ Research and Atmospherics

§ Monitoring and Evaluation

§ Polling and market survey

§ Strategic Advisory

§ Capacity Development

Development Officer Position

ATR is entering a new phase of expansion across sectors and is seeking young, talented and energetic professionals to be part of this development. Working with the Managing Director and the Business Development Director, the Development Officer will assist in identifying opportunities, unmet demands in the marketplace, researching new sectors, developing new services and products and preparing proposals and unsolicited proposals. The Development Officer will be instrumental in ATR’s continuing development as a provider of innovative, high quality services in the research and capacity development market.

The Development Officer will report to the Business Development Director and will receive ample support from both the Research and Capacity Development units of ATR. The Development Officer will gain experience in methodologies of conducting research in fragile environments, as well as polling, capacity development and stabilization activities. Working in close cooperation with different teams in the implementation of programs, the Development Officer will gain an intimate knowledge of the processes and operational philosophy of ATR, and develop the knowledge and skills necessary to support the continuing growth of the firm. The Development Officer will be continuously supported to develop his/her own expertise to the highest possible standard.

This position can be an entry-level position, in a fast growing firm which offers a unique opportunity. This position is ideally suited to someone who is interested in international development and emerging markets, and who wishes to contribute to the elaboration of effective and tangible solutions to international and national actors in these sectors.

ATR is looking for experience people but also for young, energetic professionals who are eager to learn from the environment they work in, have strong interest in the regions ATR operates in, are willing to invest in the development of ATR and wish to build a career within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities

Market research and analysis

The Development Officer will screen Request for Proposals (RFPs) and other solicitations from donors and clients on the appropriate platforms and manage the tracking of these opportunities and ATR’s response to them in collaboration with his colleagues.

In cooperation with the Business Development Director, the Development Officer will be responsible for new clients and business opportunities in Afghanistan leveraging existing client bases and developing new relationships with donors, INGOs, UN agencies, etc. Based on this, the Development Officer will be responsible for mapping potential clients and donors based on regional priorities, researching their strategies and priorities and identifying services and products adapted to their needs. Working with the Business Development Director and technical teams, the Development Officer will be associated to the design of new services and products based on market research.

Proposal writing

In response to Request for Proposals (RFPs) and other solicitations from donors and clients, the Development Officer will support the Business Development Director in drafting and consolidating bids tailored to the specific requirements of the RFP. The Development Officer will also contribute to the design and drafting of unsolicited proposals based on preliminary research on donor and clients’ needs.

Institutional development

The Development Officer will support the Business Development Director in systematically organizing and disseminating institutional materials for ease of access and use. In addition, the Development Officer will support the Business Development Director in establishing standard operating procedures for business development. The Program Officer will also identify opportunities for staff development.

Reporting

The Development Officer will be taking part in the review process of all project and programme reporting; draft ‘speed memos’ in preparation of meetings with clients and donors, sector-specific and country-specific briefs and develop presentations on ATR’s main findings to share with potential clients.

Networking

The Development Officer will design specific donor and client profiles and databases, support advocacy and marketing efforts of ATR and improve the visibility of ATR within its network of partners, clients and affiliates. The Development Officer will also identify platforms and events that will increase ATR’s visibility as well as its horizontal and vertical expansion. The Development Officer will also contribute to the extension of ATR’s network to Universities, Research Centers and Institutes.

Media & Communications

The Development Officer will be in charge of developing ATR’s presence and activity on social media (LinkedIn, Twitter and online development networks); regularly updating the website with ATR publications; releasing information to partners, clients and network members on ATR’s activities; developing communication materials to promote ATR (briefs, brochures).

During the initial months in the position, the Development Officer will collaborate closely with different teams to acquire the necessary knowledge of ATR’s services, products, processes, systems, and philosophy.

Requirements

· Masters’ degree in Social Sciences, Development, Business or similar field preferred

• Fluency in English, written and spoken, other languages skills are a significant advantage. Excellent writing skills, ability to quickly produce outputs to a professional/academic standard


• Experience in research and proposal writing is a significant advantage


• Willingness and ability to travel, within Afghanistan and internationally

· Flexibility, ability to adapt to challenging circumstances and working environments

• Knowledge of and experience in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Middle East, Africa or Central Asia is a significant advantage

· Experience working/living in an insecure context a significant advantage

This position requires hard work and dedication to a firm that relies first and foremost on teamwork; in turn, the firm offers opportunities to grow professionally, build technical expertise and gain multi-faceted exposure to the development sector.